7 Good-looking Ways to Lay Stacked Tiles

Wondering which layout to use for your tiles? Check out these stack-bond patterns for inspiration

Houzz UK Editorial Staff. I'm a journalist with more than 13 years' experience in publishing, and have worked on a wide range of magazines and websites. I'm passionate about interiors, so I'm proud and delighted to be part of the Houzz team.

Houzz UK Editorial Staff. I'm a journalist with more than 13 years' experience in... More

It can be hard to decide which layout to go for when you’re tiling your walls or floor, but one that’s popular right now is the stack bond. By laying tiles on top of each other, you’ll create a pattern that looks both neat and striking – and it’s a great design for setting off other features in the room, too.

Contrast with woodTactile wood grain makes a soft contrast to the sleek grid of tiles in this kitchen. There are a few different surfaces in the space, including white units and a bright blue cooker, so a more haphazard tile pattern might have been too busy.

The uniform design of this straight lay pattern gives the space character while maintaining a harmonious balance.

Get pale and interestingThe floor tiles and gold fittings are the stars of the show in this bathroom, so the designers have chosen a simple pattern for the wall tiles. The stack bond design adds detail to the bath panel and wall without competing with the rest of the space.

A stacked layout works well in an area where there are a few different surfaces close together, as the pattern stays neat.

Mix and matchPlay with shape and size in your bathroom by choosing two different styles of tile. Here, the wall of white stack bond tiles is complemented by a splashback of smaller grey versions. The variation in colour is taken a step further by changing the direction the tiles are laid.

A design like this is an easy way to bring some texture to a space without breaking up the square lines of the bathroom’s layout.

Big it upYour stacked tiles don’t have to be small – in this bathroom, the designers have gone for large marbled tiles. The rectangles have been laid in straight lines along the floor and up the walls to create a sweeping backdrop for the minimal fittings.

By using large tiles in a straight layout like this, the designers have created a feeling of space that doesn’t jar with the curved freestanding bath.

Go this way and thatCan’t decide which direction you want to lay your tiles? Try a combination of the two with a design like this one.

A simple yet interesting pattern has been created by stacking white tiles in different directions. The designers have made things even more interesting by making the pattern asymmetrical and adding an element of surprise.